Cool Side Temps

[LaurenMitchell]

So I'm getting my ball python on Saturday, and I am still figuring out the cool temperature side thing. I have a heat pad and heat bulb on the warm side, with a thermostat keeping it at 94 degrees. However, my tank is 3 feet long, and the cool side stays at just about 70. from what I've read its supposed to be about 80. But I don't know if that makes sense for my tank or not, because I would assume I shouldn't heat the cool side, it defeats the purpose, and I can't add more heat to the warm side in order to make the cool side warmer, because then it would be too hot. So my question is: does the cool side temp matter as long as the warm side temp is correct? Its not like it won't have a temperature gradient, and theoretically it will just go as far away from the heat source as it wants to, to be the correct temperature.

Thanks

[imhumpty]

I'm still figuring it out but, I have my cool side around 75/77 and the way I make it 75/77 is with a heat lamp on a dimmer. If I didn't it would be at 72/73 but I've heard keeping it at 75 and other people say other things


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[CALM Pythons]

3 feet long isnt big.. I have 4' long tanks for quarantine and i have Cardboard on 3 sides for insulation and to help the snakes feel secluded .. Wothout knowing anything about your set-up nobody can help you. What lid do you have? If its a screen cover 3/4 at least with Tin Foil/Towel/Plexyglass.. Also your using the heat source overkill on the Hot Side.. Use the UTH for the Hot Side Belly Basking at 88-91 .. Then put a CHE (I dont like lamps and most snakes don't like light) on the cool side for a Ambient of 78-81.
Your Lamp is the cool side appropriate ambient and the Hot side is the pad.

Here something to look at.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!


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[LaurenMitchell]

I have a 36x18x12 expo terra, my heat pad covers about 1/3 of the tank (wasn't quite as big as I had expected it to be), as for lights I haven't bought one yet, I've just been testing what wattages work with various different bulbs I have from my bearded dragon and past pets. I was thinking a 75 watt black heat lamp, for multiple reasons. As far as wattage I've tested a 60 watt and it couldn't quite get it up high enough, and with a thermostat that will just turn it off I would assume 75 is fine (correct me if I'm wrong.) I've heard CHE's kill humidity, and I've experienced it with frogs, so I was thinking a zilla black night heat bulb, as its in my room and I would prefer into be dark, and I find the red and purple ones really ugly. I will try covering the top with tinfoil for humidity and heat.

[CALM Pythons]

That UTH size you have is just fine. You dont want them taking up more than 1/3rd of floor.. Now put the Bulb you choose on cool side for 78-82 ambient.


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[Craiga 01453]

Just to add a bit to what Mr Sully said...

As far as covering the top with foil, I suggest cutting cardboard to fit the screen cover leaving just enough room for the light fixture. This will hold heat/humidity while allowing the light to do it's job and allow air flow (you don't need a lot) Then wrap the cardboard with foil and glue/tape it in place. This will make it more durable. Using just foil it would probably rip and tear easily, where just cardboard would actually absorb the moisture.

Once your UTH is on a tstat and your light is on a tstat or a dimmer you will be able to make adjustments to dial in your temps.

Also where are you measuring hot side temp? and how are you measuring?

[LaurenMitchell]

I am measuring beside the hot side on the ground, with a thermometer and the thermostat probe